Bohemian Rhapsody: Malek is a Killer Queen, the Rest is Radio Ga-Ga

The much-anticipated film which opened with $50 million at the box office, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” brings excitement to Queen fans everywhere. Alas, the only royal aspect of the film is Rami Malek’s interpretation of Freddie Mercury.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is a music biopic following the band Queen and their rise to fame, which includes the creation of the rock anthem Bohemian Rhapsody.

The film expands on the creation of the band’s songs, along with the significance of Freddie Mercury’s life.

It is hard for anyone to really portray Freddie Mercury, yet Rami Malek does a fantastic job it. “Bohemian Rhapsody,” while focusing mainly on the music aspect, also explores Mercury’s sexual identification and death from AIDS in 1991.

Rami Malek develops emotion behind his eyes and a flirty stage presence similar to Mercury. His look is complete with prosthetic teeth and skinny jeans. Malek’s acting is emotional and genuine.

Malek plays a true killer queen, and yet the rest of the movie is just radio ga-ga. The script lacks depth. For some, it might even be tacky at times, particularly in its dialogue. The film never dives deep into Mercury’s life or what really went on inside his thought process. We may see bits and pieces of racist remarks or his family ties, but we never get to know the real Freddie.

Even the complexities of Freddie Mercury’s sexuality is dishonest. While the film is heavy on highlighting Mercury’s heterosexual relationship, it falls short in exploring his sexuality in a way that is accurate. His identity as a bisexual man—which biographer Lesley-Ann Jones in a biography has affirmed “Mercury ‘clearly’ was,”—is stripped away when Mary Austin (Lucy Boynton) states, “You’re gay, Freddie,” in the moments before the couple ends their engagement. How “Bohemian Rhapsody” displays Mercury’s sexual identity is not the whole picture, rather only a slice of the truth.

Though the script is anything but royal, the band’s influence can be felt when Freddy performs at live aid, complete with a mix of fan favorites like “Radio GaGa” and “We Will Rock You.” It was emotional, to say the least, and I found it hard not to stomp my feet. I got chills.

Even if the script may lack in complexity, this film is an emotional homage to Freddie Mercury’s life and the band known as Queen.